Trawler Owners Laud Navy Over Improved Maritime Security    

The President, Nigerian Trawlers Owners’ Association (NITOA), Mr Vincent Amire, has lauded the Nigerian Navy (NN) for ensuring improved maritime security in the country.
Amire gave the commendation at a meeting with officers of the Training and Operations Branch of the Navy in Abuja.
A statement by the Navy acting Director of Information, Navy Capt. Suleman Dahun, said that the meeting was convened to discuss ways to  protect the fisheries industry and prevent illegalities in the fishing business in the country.
The statement quoted the president of the association as saying that there was significant improvement in maritime security owing to the sustained presence of the Navy at sea.
It further quoted Amire as saying: “The impact of the improved secured environment has led to improved national earnings from the export of shrimps from Nigeria.”
The statement observed that there was now improved confidence in Nigeria’s waters, a situation which, he said, led to a rise in the number of fishing vessels operating in the country from 42 to 165.
The Navy, in the statement, therefore, urged NITOA to vet its members with a view to checking sharp practices and ensuring that its vessels were fitted with prescribed monitoring and tracking system to facilitate its policing role.
The Navy also assured NITOA of its commitment to securing the country’s maritime space for safe conduct of its activities.